Six months of Cork-estra

A programme of concerts set to take place online over the next six months has been launched on Leeside.

The programme was instigated by the Cork Orchestral Society and will see one concert streamed online each month for six months between now and June.

The first concert will take place on Saturday evening and will feature newly-founded Cork ensemble, 13 Strings.

The ensemble is curated by CIT Cork School of Music double bass instructor and former member of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, David Whitla.

Launching the programme was Chairperson of Cork Orchestral Society, Tom Crowley, who highlighted the importance of starting 2021 on a “bright note”.

“It is with great joy that today we can announce our return. These concerts will be a celebration of the talent and mastery found locally from within our own music community,” said Mr Crowley.

In February, the second concert in the series will be performed by Cork School of Music (CSM) emerging Cork violin player Brendan Garde playing alongside pianist Gary Beecher.

Garde was the recipient of Best Taught Master’s Degree Student at CSM and has performed at many events and festivals including the Ortús Chamber Music Festival, Salisbury International Arts Festival, Finding a Voice Festival, Kaleidoscope and the West Cork Chamber Music Festival.

“There are yet more treats in store, with a solo piano recital, wind quintet, piano trio and a trio of sopranos all waiting in the wings to delight our audience in the coming months,” concluded Mr Crowley.

Further details on the upcoming Cork Orchestral Society’s 2021 programme and viewing information can be found on corkorchestralsociety.ie.